Desigualdades em diferentes tipos de atividade física de lazer na adolescência e no início da vida adulta: análises prospectivas na Coorte de Nascimentos de 1993 de Pelotas

Abstract

Social inequalities in Brazil have deep historical roots and impact various aspects of life, including population health. Access to leisure-time physical activity (PA) also reflects these disparities, influenced by social markers such as sex, race/skin color, and socioeconomic status. The interaction between these markers can intensify inequalities in leisure-time PA, making adopting an intersectional approach essential. This study aimed to describe demographic, socioeconomic, and intersectional inequalities related to different types of leisure-time PA during adolescence and early adulthood, using data from the 1993 Pelotas Birth Cohort at the 15- and 22-year followups. Leisure-time PA types were assessed through a questionnaire listing activities and classified as collective sports, individual sports, and gym-based activities. Soccer and walking were also analyzed separately. Social markers of difference were examined both individually and intersectionally, considering sex, race/skin color, and wealth index. Relative and absolute inequality measures were used to compare groups, including differences, ratios, the Slope Index of Inequality (SII), and the Concentration Index (CIX). The study included 4,325 individuals at age 15 and 3,800 at age 22. Among leisure-time PA types, walking at age 15 was the only one with a higher prevalence among women (36.1% vs. 25.5%). At both ages, Black individuals had higher participation in collective sports (15 years: 58.1% vs. 49.5%; 22 years: 24.8% vs. 20.6%) and soccer (15 years: 46.1% vs. 37.6%; 22 years: 22.8% vs. 18.3%). Additionally, individuals in the richest quintile showed lower prevalence rates in collective sports (Q5: 47.5% vs. Q2: 54.7%) and soccer (Q5: 37.0% vs. Q1: 45.5%) at age 15. However, by age 22, the lowest prevalence rates were observed among the poorest individuals. In the intersectional analysis, wealthy White men had the highest prevalence in most types of leisure-time physical activity compared to poor Black women. Relative inequalities based on gender, race/skin color, wealth index, and intersectionality increased over time for most activities. Significant inequities in the practice of different types of leisure-time physical activity were observed, becoming more pronounced from adolescence to adulthood. Our findings can contribute to a deeper understanding of these disparities. Furthermore, the results may support the development of more contextualized public health and leisure policies aimed at addressing the needs of the most vulnerable populations.